Meals On Wheels Returns to the Canal Fulton Area

Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties has a renewed presence in Canal Fulton and the surrounding area effective Monday, Feb. 1.

The agency returns to the community, delivering meals out of their location at St. John Lutheran Church on West Market Street. Vivian Heater is the site coordinator.

“We’re grateful to Pastor Nickodemus and the church council at St. John for providing facilities to support us in our mission,” said Teresa Barry, CEO.

Food is prepared weekday mornings at the agency’s commissary in Massillon. It is delivered via insulated trucks to 19 outlying sites for home delivery and congregate dining.

Volunteer drivers deliver the meals between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. The agency can accommodate less frequent deliveries, including once-a-week service, according to an individual’s preference and need.

A number of individuals in the Canal Fulton area already receive daily meal deliveries, and the agency expects that number to grow.

“Many people don’t realize that they qualify for meal delivery,” said Barry. “Our meals are available to any homebound individual, regardless of age or income. They can be contracted on a short-term or long-term basis, and we can begin service within two working days of receiving a request.”

“Our social services team works with individuals to provide a personal assessment of their nutritional needs,” said Barry. “In addition to people who are permanently homebound, individuals recuperating from illness or injury find the nutritional support provided by our meals to be a key ingredient to their recovery.”

Regular, low sodium and diabetic meals are available. “Anyone in need of specialized diets will find our meals appropriate as a source of nutrition for their daily needs,” said Barry.

The agency hopes to recruit additional volunteers to help deliver meals in Canal Fulton. “Our volunteers typically drive once a week,” said Barry. “Our Canal Fulton route currently takes about 60 minutes to complete.”

For information on how to begin home meal delivery, or to volunteer, call Meals on Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties at 330-832-7220, or visit their Web site at http://www.mow-starkwayne.org/.